Welcome to the Japan Animal Welfare Society, also known as JAWS UK!

We are a charity, based in the UK, dedicated to improving the lives of Japan’s animals.

We provide funds, advice and support to help the thousands of abandoned, neglected and abused pets, captive animals and wildlife in Japan. We also provide financial support to our sister society, JAWS Japan, and work closely with them to improve Japan’s animal welfare legislation which, due to different cultural attitudes, is less ‘modern’ than that of other developed countries, such as the UK.

As JAWS UK is a charity we receive no government funding, so we rely on the generosity of animal-loving people who fundraise, donate or leave gifts in Wills to enable us to carry on our vital work.

So, enjoy browsing through our website; see the amazing stories of rescued and rehomed animals and meet the dedicated people we support in their tireless work to make a difference in Japan.

Feel free to contact us here at JAWS UK and, if you are moved by some of our animals’ stories, please consider making a donation. Every donation, however modest, is hugely appreciated and used to the full in our fight against animal suffering.

It’s rare to see a dog free in a garden in Japan, even when the space is large and walled. This happy shiba-ken was free to watch passers-by on the steep mountainside road, bossing them around with obvious pleasure!